Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University softball team (17-11) welcomed FDU-Florham for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday evening. The Red Hawks fell to the Devils in game one, 2-1, but bounced back for a 5-4 win in game two.
 
GAME ONE
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• FDU got on the board in the first inning with a walk and an RBI double down the left field line to take a 1-0 lead.
• Montclair struck back in the bottom of the first. JAYLA VASQUEZ led off with a walk. LIZ MULLEN and CARLEE IANNONE each batted a single to load the bases for JORDYN HESTER to drive in a fielder's choice RBI to nod the game at 1-1.
• A lead-off double and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner to third for the Devils in the top of the second inning. After a forced pop-up for the second out, FDU broke through with an RBI single up the middle to retake the lead 2-1.
• The Devils threatened again at the top of the third with a lead-off walk and a single to the shortstop, but a well-executed double play stalled the FDU-Florham attack.
• The Red Hawks put together a good inning in the bottom of the fourth to try to tie the game. With two outs, EMMA DEPEPPO took a walk and advanced to second on a single through the left side by MOLLY COLLIGAN. ASHLEY PALMIERI batted a single to center field and DePeppo rounded third, but was thrown out at home to halt the rally.
• A dropped fly ball allowed Iannone to reach in the lead off of the sixth. ABBY TOLE pinch ran for Iannone and reached third on a LEAH MONSCHEIN single up the middle. Monschein stole second to put two runners in scoring position, but FDU held with a strikeout and a flyout to center. The Devils took the win after retiring the side at the bottom of the seventh.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Five different Red Hawks nabbed hits in game one, with Hester batting in the lone run.
• Montclair saw its 12-game home winning streak get snapped with the loss.
• Brook McHale suffered the loss as the starting pitcher. She pitched a pair off innings and gave up two runs on three hits.
• EMILY LESHIK put together a good relief outing. She tossed five shutout innings and struck out four batters.

 
GAME TWO
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Devils once again claimed the first run in the opening frame with a single through the right side and an RBI double down the left field line.
• Montclair answered this time with a pair of runs in the bottom frame. Vasquez and Mullen started off the inning with singles up the middle. Both runners moved on a groundout and were batted in on a two-RBI triple by Monschein to help claim a 2-1 lead.
• Mullen led off with a single to the shortstop in the bottom of the third. She stole second and advanced to third on a flyout, but was left stranded.
• FDU tied the game in the top of the fourth. A single and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner into scoring position for the Devils. They were followed by a walk and a single up the middle to load the bases. A wild pitch plated the tying run, but the Red Hawks stopped the bleeding when Iannone forced a foul out and DAKOTA PALMIERI got the strikeout to end the frame.
• The Red Hawks' best offensive inning of the doubleheader came in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, ASHLEY PALMIERI walked and moved to second on a single by ZOE TURNER. Mullen walked to load the bases for Iannone, who cleared them on a three-RBI double to left field and pushed Montclair out in front, 5-2.
• In the top of the sixth, the Devils cut into the advantage. A walk and a single through the left side put two runners on. The next batter walked, but an errant throw by the catcher allowed a run to score for a 5-3 Red Hawk lead.
• The game went into the top of the seventh with FDU making one final push. A throwing error allowed the lead-off runner aboard, and a double to left center put the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at the plate. Montclair surrendered a sacrifice fly for a 5-4 score. BELLA STAGLIANO, who replaced DAKOTA PALMIERI in the top of the fifth, struck out the next batter. A wild pitch allowed the tying run to reach third. The final FDU batter belted a ball straight at Stagliano, who gloved it for the final out and secured the win for Montclair.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mullen led game two, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
• Monschein earned the first triple of her collegiate career, while Iannone had her first three-RBI performance of the season.
• Montclair turned a total of three double plays on the day, with one in game two.
• DAKOTA PALMIERI improved her record to 3-0 on the season. She pitched four innings and allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out three.
• Stagliano earned the first save of the season for softball. She pitched the final three innings and surrendered two runs (none earned) on four hits and struck out four batters.

 
FROM THE DIAMOND

• "Not the result we wanted in game two, but happy with how we bounced back in game two. I am proud of how our pitchers competed and kept us in both games. There is a lot to build on, and we need to tighten up the little things, and I am confident this group will continue moving in the right direction." Head Coach Nicole Degenhardt

 
UP NEXT

• Montclair is back to NJAC play this weekend on Saturday, April 11, at #15 Stockton. The first of two games is set for 1:00 p.m.